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LM Patience

Stereotypes and stigmatization are key elements in the creation and perpetuation of "otherness."

Othering- This is when individuals or groups of people are perceived and treated as fundamentally different from oneself or one's own group. This is a social and psychological process. It constructs those who are perceived as different as "the other," emphasising their perceived inferiority. 

Stereotyping- This is a cognitive process make assumptions of others and categorise them based on their particular social group.  Stereotypes are often based on visible or easily identifiable characteristics, such as race, gender, ethnicity, age, religion, or other social categories.

Stigmatizations- This refers to the process of attaching negative labels or stereotypes to individuals or groups, leading to their social devalution. 

As a light skinned dominant coloured, I have experienced many stereotypes and stigmatizations growing up, even to this day. I have faced problems proving my authenticity or connection to my cultural or ethnic identity, with others assuming that I am less connected due to my lighter skin. I would get asked questions like "Are you really a coloured? Are you sure you are not white?" I even got name called for having a light skin tone. My classmates would always tell me that I had more privileges than they did at school because I was lighter than they were and that the only reason I got good marks was because I was the teachers favourite because I had the same skin colour as the teacher. They also assumed that I was from a higher social class and that there was no reason for me to go a public school but instead a private school. So all that stereotyping created "otherness" for me.